The final game of the Cuddington Cricket Club 2005 season saw a Tonsley Invitational XI arrive in Bucks to take on the local side – and the prize at stake – honour, popularity with the ladies, an excuse for a drop too many and, of course, the coveted “Tonsley Events Cricket Challenge Shield”.
The Tonsley side, captained by Simon “Mike Gatting” Woolf, took to the Cuddington field of dreams with a hop, skip and a jump and sporting the new look Tonsley cricket wear and, after a shaky start, they, and somewhat against the odds, pulled through to a comfortable victory over The Kites – who were captained by Joe “Adam Gilchrist” Bruce.
Key milestones in the game included: Neal “Inzaman” Taylor and Andy “Mushtak” Moxon bludgeoning partnership of 98, Rob “Boycott” Bruce forced a solid 2 runs from 45 mins and 58 balls, which was 2 more than Captain Woolf scored in his two deliveries before being bowled by the just 13 year old Felix “Glen McGrath” Hughes-Morgan. Neither of these batsmen really troubled the DJ who continued to pump out musical stings for fours and sizes!
The repost after an excellent tea was swift by the Kites. Captain Bruce and Sam “Srinath Jayasuriya” Grigg offered a selection of shots but were very much helped by John “Paula Ratcliffe” Southall and Jerry “Pauline Fowler” Salsby – who had clearly never bowled in their lives and who collectively had delivered 41 balls from 4 overs! However, with Inzy and Mushy brought up into the attack wickets began to fall and the home side were left well short in their chase.
The day proved a huge success on all sides. Well over 150 came along at some stage of the day and evening to enjoy the bouncy castle, the raffle and auction, a wonderful tea and BBQ spread and a heavily discounted bar – oh, and of course, some of the most shoddy cricket in the history of the game! The event raised over £1,100 for the village club and all concerned look forward to this being a regular event on the ECB calendar – indeed, the 2006 date is now in: 2nd September – don’t miss it.
It was very much… best served with cucumber sandwiches with their crusts cut off.
Don’t forget, Tonsley Events sponsorship of Cuddington Cricket Club continues into the 2006 season.
JB
